Washing your car is an essential aspect of car maintenance. It helps keep your vehicle looking good and protects your car’s exterior from damage. However, not all cleaning agents are suitable for washing it.
Dish soap is one cleaning agent you should never use to wash your car. While it may seem like an easy and fast solution, using dish soap to wash your car can cause more harm than good. This article will discuss why you shouldn’t use dish soap for washing your vehicle.
1. Dish Soap Is Too Harsh for Car Paint
Dish soap is designed to break down and remove stubborn grease and grime from dishes. While this may be effective for dishes, it is not suitable for your car’s paint. Dish soap contains harsh chemicals, such as phosphates and surfactants, that can strip the protective wax layer from your car’s paint.
This wax layer acts as a barrier between your car’s paint and the elements, such as UV rays, rain, and dirt. Without this protective layer, your car’s paint will be vulnerable to damage and can lead to fading or peeling.
2. Dish Soap Can Damage Your Car’s Clear Coat
The clear coat is a protective layer applied on top of the car’s paint to protect it from scratches, chips, and other damages. Dish soap contains strong detergents that can break down the clear coat and make it more susceptible to damage.
Over time, using dish soap for washing your car can lead to premature wear and tear of the clear coat, which can be expensive to repair.
3. Dish Soap Can Leave Residue on Your Car
More often than not, washing your car with dish soap can result in a stubborn residue that can make your vehicle look unattractive and dull. This residue can also attract dirt and grime, making your car appear even dirtier. A car wash soap specifically made for washing cars will help you avoid this problem.
4. Dish Soap Can Leave Scratches on Your Car
Dish soap contains abrasive particles that can scratch your car’s paint. These scratches can be unsightly and weaken the paint, making it more susceptible to damage. Using dish soap with a rough sponge or cloth can also leave scratches on your car’s surface. To prevent this, use a soft sponge or a microfibre cloth when washing your vehicle.
5. Dish Soap Is Bad for the Environment
If you use dish soap to wash your car, you could be hurting the environment. Dish soap has harmful chemicals that can damage aquatic life and contaminate water bodies. By using dish soap, the soapy water runs off into the storm drains and can end up in oceans, lakes, and rivers. As a preventive measure, always opt for a car wash soap that is not only biodegradable but also environmentally friendly.
In Summary
Dish soap is too abrasive for car paint, can harm the clear coat, leave residue and scratches, and harm the environment. Use a car wash soap specifically formulated for cleaning vehicles to maintain your car’s appearance. This will safeguard your car’s paint and clear coat, prevent scratching, and protect the environment.
DD Car Detailing provides only the best car detailing services in Geelong and Melbourne. We use only eco-friendly and biodegradable products, and our staff is dedicated to protecting the environment while providing top-notch services to our clients. Request an estimate to keep your car looking its best while protecting the environment!